THEORRSENTENCE

It is shocking that a convicted killer such as Abraham Orr could be eligible for parole in only 18 years after a period of "tutoring" in a prison crime school.

It's not the least bit reassuring to the public that a person with the hostile attitude and mindset of convicted killer Abraham Orr could be eligible for parole in 18 years.

Orr, the Topeka man convicted of first-degree murder in a September carjacking effort that killed a Lawrence man, would be 36 at parole-time, barring conviction on additional criminal charges. One shudders at the prospect of having an individual such as Orr, with 18 years in a prison crime school atmosphere, turned back into society.

When explaining his behavior in the fatal chain of events, Orr testified he thought he was doing the right thing in trying to get a ride back to Topeka for three acquaintances and himself. He has shown little remorse over what he has done and seems to believe that a given end justifies the most drastic of means, such as the killing of someone who has a motor vehicle he happens to want.

While incarcerated in events leading up to the determination of his sentence, Orr took part in an attempted jailbreak with the support and aid of his wife. It seems ridiculous that our legal system would consider anything beyond life in prison, without parole, for someone this dangerous. Little wonder people shake their heads when they talk about the dangers for law-abiding people these days.

Orr may still have additional sentencing pending rulings on trials on such charges as carjacking and jail escape. But in view of his crimes to date and his record for trouble, any "life sentence" that allows him to come up for parole in only 18 years is ludicrous.

Dist. Atty. Jerry Wells, displeased with the sentencing structure for Orr, commented: "I have not seen anyone as lethal as this man. We have a responsibility to protect the community from this man."

As things stand now, that lethal man who so casually dealt with his deeds and his trial, could be back among us at the age of 36 in the year 2012.